Tooling

Here are a few hints that can enhance your coding experience with FatScript.

Static analysis

Use the probe mode to check the syntax and receive hints about your code:

fry -p mySweetProgram.fat

Debugger

A breakpoint, indicated by the command $break, serves as a debug tool by temporarily halting the program execution at a designated location and loading the built-in debugging console. It provides an interactive environment for examining the current state of the program by inspecting values in scope, evaluating expressions, and tracing program flow.

To activate breakpoints, it is necessary to run the program with interactive mode enabled:

fry -i mySweetProgram.fat

In FatScript, $break returns null, which can alter a return value if placed at the end of a block, due to the auto-return feature. Be cautious with $break placement to avoid unintended effects on program functionality.

Source code formatting

Built-in support

You can apply auto-indentation to your sources using the following command:

fry -f mySweetProgram.fat

Visual Studio Code Extension

To add code formatter support to VS Code, you can install the fatscript-formatter extension. Launch VS Code Quick Open (Ctrl+P), paste the following command, and press enter:

ext install aprates.fatscript-formatter

fry needs to be installed on your system for this extension to work

Syntax highlighting

Visual Studio Code Extension

To add FatScript syntax highlighting to VS Code, you can install the fatscript-syntax extension. Launch VS Code Quick Open (Ctrl+P), paste the following command, and press enter:

ext install aprates.fatscript-syntax

You can also find and install these extensions from the VS Code Extension Marketplace.

Vim and Neovim Plugin

To install FatScript's syntax highlighting for Vim and Neovim, check out the vim-syntax plugin.

For Neovim users, add the respective line to your configuration:

Using packer.nvim:

use { 'https://gitlab.com/fatscript/vim-syntax', as = 'fatscript' }

Using lazy.nvim:

{ 'https://gitlab.com/fatscript/vim-syntax', name = 'fatscript' }

Nano Syntax File

To install FatScript's syntax highlighting for nano, follow these steps:

1. Download the fat.nanorc file from here.
2. Copy the fat.nanorc file to the nano system directory:

sudo cp fat.nanorc /usr/share/nano/

If the syntax highlighting does not get automatically enabled, you may need to explicitly enable it in your .nanorc file. Refer to the instructions in the Arch Linux Wiki for more information.

After installing the syntax highlighting, you can also use the code formatter in nano with the following shortcut sequence:

• Ctrl+T Execute; and then...
• Ctrl+O Formatter

Other tips

Console file navigation

To navigate your project folders from the terminal, you can try using a console file manager such as ranger, paired with nano, vim or nvim. Set it as the default editor for ranger by adding the following line to your ~/.bashrc file:

export EDITOR="nano"